So, the most important question: did you walk to the bathroom stall on the campsite with a toilet roll clamped under your arm? If yes: congratulations, you don't need to do the inburgeringscursus anymore.
I lived in Holland from 1968 to 1973 in the military and loved the people, food and way of life, had the opportunity to go back several times with friends and family to "show them around."
I life in the east of Holland yes i say Holland that's fine hahahah. And there we like om hoi te zeggen of hi we vinden dat netjes. Iemand groeten vooral jonge mensen naar ouderen toe is groeten bijna een must . Ik leerde van mij ouders zelfs dat ik ouderen due ik tegen kwam moest vragen of ik iets voor hun kon betekenen of ik ergens mee kon helpen boodschappen dragen of helpen oversteken. Ik moest met respect met anderen omgaan vooral voor diegene die ouder zijn en of het slecht heb en als ik! Titaan de dag van vandaag help ik iedereen die het minder heeft het is normaal of te delen in Nederland deel je good vibes gelukkig voelen bereik je door te delen met diegene die minder hebben
I live 10 minutes by train from Utrecht and here we greet the people we pass on the street. Only in the big city's it's not common. I can recommend biking in the surround8ngs of utrecht. Within 20 kilometres you find forests, lots of agriculture land and the utrechtse heuvelrug where you have sanddunes (?) And you will learn a lot about the dutch
New York is different from the rest of the US. I used to live in MD at 20 miles from DC. On my way to work everyone greeted me, and even complimented me. Good compliments, nothing ambiguous or anything. My office was right opposite the Washington Post building and one summer a super cute young intern walked along with me to the metro station, talking all the time. I was twice his age, in the Netherlands this would not happen. Anyway I loved this attitude! 😍
The "American" camping sites do exist in The Netherlands / Europe too. But you have to search voor hiking camp or Scouts camp sites. Standard Camping in Europe is the type you've been to. Campings vary in different levels of luxury and settings (specially for youth, families or elder people, children entertainment programs, swimming pools, electricity at your site, bring your own tent or rent the one of the camping, lot of activities or meant to stay quiet etc.).
You should really try to visit more of the Netherlands. You really don't experience the Netherlands in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Greeting random people is quite normal outside of the Randstad, although it's not as extreme as on a campsite "Mogguh!"
jurriaan Adema oh snap je helemaal normaal gezien maar nu niet want hier groet iedereen elkaar gewoon. En als je het niet doet krijg je het te horen ook.
I don't know.. I'm from Amsterdam but I go to smal towns and villages quite regularly and when I greet people in a genuine, friendly way, they quite often don't greet back or they greet back reluctantly. I don't know if it's because they don't know me or because of my skin colour, but it's disheartening. People in de provincie are supposed to be so much friendlier than people in Amsterdam. Or that's what they think about themselves. In Amsterdam, I also greet the people I know from my street. I'm not sure there's such a difference.
I think it used to be an as we say in The Netherlands unwritten rule that it is polite to greet people you are ”sharing” nature with. Also indeed people in the country were used to greet everyone on their way, that might have changed throughout generations. People tend to be more by themselves these days..It’s a pity. Maybe we should reintroduce it. As for not greeting someone because of his or her skin color, very very very sad! I hate that!! Please don’t think everyone thinks this way!
Loved this honest video Eva :-) Yes there are MANY beautiful spots to explore in crowded and densily populated Netherlands.. and still I can recommend so many quiet and pristine places! Explore the Nieuwkoopse plassen (Beautiful bike route around a good part of it with unique birdlife! ) Explore the Loonse duinen for a bit of Sahara feeling. Explore the Betuwe area for lots of fruit trees and historic places and riverside nature spots. Explore Texel or any of the Wadden Islands. Explore the south of Limburg province for hills and a different landscape. Explore Zeeland with impressive water-works and beautiful beaches. Explore the small cities (Enkhuizen, Monnickendam, Edam, Medemblik) for historic fishing villages and views of the IJsselmeer. I could go on for sooooo long :) The Netherlands are great to do custom-sized bike rides ( fietsknooppuntenroutes ...can you pronounce this ;-) ) Enjoy The Netherlands Eva!
For one visit to the Netherlands, rode my bicycle to Lindbergh Field, San Diego, CA. Took it with me on a flight to Schipol, then cycled from Schipol to visit friends in Almere Buiten. Did not plan on continuous headwinds, which made it seem like I was cycling up the Alps. Took my bike on trains to visit other Dutch cities. Bike trails were flat and wonderful, but headwinds seemed to blow in my face, everywhere.
The prevailing winds are from the South West, so if you plan your trip to go roughly East, you'll have the wind in your back. If the wind is strong enough you hardly need to paddle.
Having planned and rode yearly 3 day biking trips through the Netherlands the key is to know the prevailing winds (west, south/west) in advance and plan around them. So you start somewhere westish, and then bike to the east ! (take the train back, or start by train and cycle back home). Also, pick a trail/route that frequently goes through forests, trees and shrubs block the wind, ITS AMAZING !!
the dutch camp grounds are like that everywhere in europe, not jsut the netherlands. i know many who go camping europe style mostly go sightseeing the area the cities etc.
The talking with other people is one of the reasons you see so many families on campings. The kids are playing outside the whole day, making new friends every year 🙂 Very good for developing social skills! And of course, they sleep really well like you mentioned. And that gives parents time to read a book, drinking some wine by candlelight - that kind of stuff..
In my experience, usually during the summer the entire German population moves over to the beaches in the Netherlands (especially Zeeland) and the entire Dutch population that owns a caravan takes their caravan and goes camping in France. My parents have a caravan and during the average year we went to France for about 4-5 weeks a year (2 in spring and 2-3 in summer) and 1 week go Luxembourg in fall (which is gorgeous by the way, definitely recommend)! Maybe my parents just really like France, but I think they are far from the only ones who do (also not saying its average or normal to go on long holidays 3 times a year, that's just my personal experience)
@@arthurharpjr7974 ah yeah, thats jus a couple of streets from here. Pass by the school daily, i think it is a school at least. It has sporting fields and loads of busses with kids comming and going everyday. Where do you live now.
love your channel. I really think you should try seeing the south of limburg aswell if you get a chance. The tiny villages between Heerlen and Maastricht are worth a watch and in combination with the hilly landscape also gives you the feeling you're not in the netherlands anymore. Totally different landscape from Terschelling.
I've done a bit of camping in the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany and the UK, and I kind of got the impression that "camping grounds with facilities" are fairly common in Europe (at least in those countries). I came to camping late in life, and I've enjoyed it as much as you have. :).
The best part of this camping style is that it is everywhere in Europe. There are even city campings in many big cities. You can get a booklet of a lot of campings in Europe at the ANWB which are accredited and you can go to even without making a reservation.
Honestly, I even know of at least one indoor camping in the Netherlands. It has a a huge glass roof over it, so you can get your kids used to camping before they get discouraged by the rain. 😂
Great video and I'm happy 😊 you had a great time on Terschelling! I visited that island 🏝 when I was 12 during our school camp, first time I was riding a bike 🚲 for hours with a lott of wind! After a while my legs felt so tired and I thought I couldn't go on anymore, that's when probably the adrenaline kickt in. I didn't feel the pain in my legs and that was a very strange experience at that time, but it helpt to ride the last stretch to reach the camp.
What an excellent choice to choose Terschelling as your holiday destination. My compliments. The Wadden Islands are unique. In the autumn and spring, a weekend in a hotel is also great to get some fresh air and relaxation. And then you could choose to visit the almost car-free and smaler islands such as Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.
I remember our kampeervakanties (camping trips) from the eighties. We never went to the islands however. Our trips went to south Limburg, Belgium and Zeeland. What I remember loving about the Dutch camping as a young Dutch boy was that there often were speurtochten (scavenger hunts), the very big playgrounds and the kantines with a lot of arcade machines and pinball machines. But I haven't been to a Dutch camping in decades.
Back in the day's, when I was a kid my grandparents went to Texel by boat. My father went with his car and my mom, my little brother and me went by bike. We went for the whole school summer vacation we had as kids. So my dad needed to go work, therefore he had the car. It brings back great memories to hear you talk about your first experience. O btw we lived in Amsterdam back then.
I laughed out loud when you said you basically did a triathlon while you were at Terschelling! :) It is indeed very typical to mainly do outdoor activities while you go camping. I used to go camping almost every summer as a kid and I can tell you that most of the sanitary facilities are the same across Europe! Wishing you a nice day!!
many fmailies when to go camping dont do triathlons, they go to cities and well walkign is a must then ofc XD but msot palce sof europe you cannot bike nicely.
I think everyone should try 'wadlopen', which handily combines hiking and, if you're slow, swimming. If you think about going back to Terschelling, I'd recommend checking it out during the Oerol festival. Good job for toughing it out for sure!
You should try wadlopen. Parts of the Waddenzee falls dry during low water and you can hike over what is normally the bottom of the sea. Very muddy but fun. Im dutch but when my family from Monttana in the USA is over they love doing it.
I spend my chilhood holidays on the island of Schiermonnikoog, in my grandparents holiday cottage set in the dunes. It was a truly magical place for kids to roam freely all over the island. This was in the 50's and 60's, we have by now been in Australia for 54 years. I have been back to the island a few times since then.
Decades ago I went on a 5-week camping tour in New England. The camping grounds were from extreme basic, especially in the areas were there was commercial logging activities, to extreme luxurious. One big difference with European camping grounds was that you were allowed to built a campfire. This was our secret pleasure, grilling steaks with baked beans :).
What I love about the Dutch way of camping, is that you are more likely to spend your time outdoors and if you like it (you are certainly not forced to!) contact with other people is easy, even children make new friends camping, because a lot of these campsites have really nice children’s playgrounds or a space that youth can hang out. Who knows you make new friends camping out. Very Dutch is the camping trailer or caravan we tow behind our cars to campsites all over europe. We ourselves own one from the year 1977. But you should check out modern ones, they even have a built in toilet and shower!!
I went camping every year for at least 17 years as a child but it was really for more lazy camping. We had a tent that had the size of a small apartment with even a fridge, stove and heater inside. We used to go to the sea so yes, we did a lot of swimming, and we used to walk our dog a lot but cycling ect we really didn't do. We did go on those daystrips to like Antwerp or Gent or other cities around. We also always had those luxury campings with restaurant, indoor swimming pool for colder days, a small supermarket and an entertainment team. It was really like in a luxury hotel but only the housing was different. The social part was the most fun part of camping. In the evening every one would sit outside and it was really very "gezellig" :-). Before two weeks where finished you must have got a group of friends there. This is even not only in the Netherlands like this. Camping like this can be done all over Europe. I really miss it sometimes
I love going on holiday to the Wadden islands. It's just a short train and boat trip away, but always feels like you've traveled really far. And there's "nothing" except some small villages and nature (and well, this year, a LOT of people). "Uitwaaien" at the beach is the best way to clear a stressed city working head.
also a very dutch thing is the "sleurhut" we dutch like to leave home and bring along all our home comforts so we end up bringing a whole house with us. people that go on vacation outside the netherlands sometimes even bring crates of their favourite beer, big pieces of our own cheese and some even bring their own potato's with them so they do not have to miss them. i have just finished designing a vouwwagen for behind my bicycle for a ultimate dutch combination of tent, sleurhut, bicycle and home comforts! i expect to start the building in 3 months and have it ready for next years vacation season. netherlands is a great country for bicycle vacations becouse the abundance of cycling infrastructure and the fact that our country is so small that it would only take 21 hours to cycle from the most southern point of limburg to the most northern point of groningen.
I have not gone to campings a lot. But for 2 summers I went through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy with a camper. And I have to one or two campings in the Netherlands. So I think those kind of campings are the most common ones in Europe in general. And in all those campings that I have been, I also never had to bring my own toilet paper to the toilet. I really appreciated that!
9:34 OMG I lol'ed so hard at the 'extreme weather' being a very pleasant sunny day with some wind! (even though I completely get anyone's frustration with cycling against a Dutch head wind and on the islands they're no joke)
I had an amazing time 2019 Aug, given free camping ask to stay with a lovely Dutch family, honestly given free meals the following morning, that the night before I had only had a cup of tea at, Dutch going out of there way cycling back the way they had come just to show me the correct direction and finally staying at camping zeeburge the people were so nice best holiday I had ever had and the cycling such fun can't wait to get back, well done the Dutch.
I have been to camping sites in Wyoming and the Toilets and showers were even heated with warm water and for free. Same in South Dakota. Girl you went to the wrong camping site in the US
I did a cycling holiday this year. Me and my girlfriend had all our stuff in the bags on the bike, including the tent. We cycled from Belgium, to France, Luxembourg and Germany (1200km). We followed the frontline of the First World War and the Mozel river. I can really recommend cycling along the Mozel in Germany for beginning cyclists / campers. There are also hotels of course. I came back a lot fitter too, after 20 days (17 cycling).
I haven’t touched my bike since I got my driver license. ( 10 years or so). Very unDutchy of me, but I hate bicycling. Hah. A road trip on bicycle. You could call an ambulance in less than 50km
When you spoke about how it felt like you were leaving the netherlands when you got to Terschelling, it reminded me of this. People who live on the Waddeneilanden actually do call themselves 'eilanders' (island people). It's also sort of a community thing, because even if you might move to one of the islands, you'll never fully be an 'eilander' as long as the rest of your family still lives on the mainland.
Me and a friend just took two 1-person tents (+ plus clothes ofcourse) got in the car and drove. it was amazing. We live near Groningen, so first we went to Valkenburg (limburg). Spend 1 day/night there, then went to Luxembourg. There went spend 2 days/nights and went from Luxembourg to Bonn and munster (both Germany) It was amazing. Just very simple but we seen a lot, we even went 1 day to France (Place called Metz). I was a trip of 6 days, we did a lot, seen a lot. I love the old cities and nature around it. Its nice to hear you had fun the dutch style.
I grew up in the Netherlands and when I was a kid we often went camping in Dwingeloo, very nice area for hiking and/or biking. When I was a little older we also went to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, and camping was mostly similar.
Yes, I know what you mean when talking about how special these islands are. I met my future wife on Vlieland, another of the Waddeneilanden. That was almost 40 years ago but I still think back with pleasure to those days. But if you want to see some "mountains", do come to Rheden near Arnhem where I live and experience the Dutch mountains like Potjesberg and Zijpenberg and Kraaijenberg etc. Its a hilly countryside with heather and forests and even a sand drift, all part of the National Park Veluwezoom. I have worked here for the last 25 years and although I was born and raised in Rotterdam, I never regretted coming to Arnhem and living and working in this type of landscape. Now I'm retired and enjoy biking in these surroundings almost daily. On my e-bike! And don't be afraid of speed when biking: speed is necessairy to stay in balance when biking. But you have to practice to get confidence to really master biking, practice makes perfect.
If you ever plan to visit Rotterdam, I'd love to be your tourguide! I even work on one of the top 3 tourist-attractions in Rotterdam ;) so you'll have some inside information
Next year you should probably just rent a 'sta-caravan' on one of these islands. it's basically like being in an American Trailer park, but by choice during your holiday ! ... generally a toilet is on board, but showers are still 'facilitated' (though can be included also). I had a lot of these holidays when i was a kid, and if a tent isn't really your thing (or you get to an age or financial standard) where you prefer some better accommodation than a tent, a 'sta-caravan' is a very good option !!
Yes, the Waddeneilanden are great. But next time, consider camping near Vlijmen. Then you can "interpolate" between landscapes in the Netherlands. By the way, Jovi (of the Jovi's Home channel) is covering all twelve provinces (one per month, I remember). If you and your girl-friend should be in for a work-out of a holiday, consider something related to sailing (likely in the province of Fryslân, but not necessarily so). Sailing under sail, not cruising on a motor boat... If "camping" shouldn't suit you, remember "glamping" (glamorous camping). Dutch comedian Bert Visscher may have posted his sketches (in Dutch) on both on his RUclips channel. Far-fetched: there are six Caribbean islands connected to the Netherlands...
@Gert-Jan van der Lee: Obviously! Thank you for pointing to my dyslectic mistake - I meant Vijlen: to visit the Vijlenerbos, just west of the "three-countries-point". [Herman Finkers: "Het is mooi dat drie landen bij elkaar komen, maar om daar nou een punt van te maken..."]
I've been on many European camp sites and also in hostels and the bathroom facilities are similar. The French ones used to be just a hole in the ground and two prints to put your feet, so you were supposed to crouch. We don't really have a 'great outdoors' in this country. Also people in small communities say hi, even in the US I noticed. Oh, didn't mean to sound harsh. I love your videos. And wow, I do do some outdoors stuff but that sounds extreme. And I've been on the Wadden Islands (well, three of them) and biking there is incredibly hard sometimes, so you've got your Dutch credentials :D
This summer I went to the Hoge Veluwe park and I noticed that all the visitors were just racing by on their bicycles trying to get from A to B as fast as possible. I found that it is so much more relaxing to take a comfy folding chair with you, set it down somewhere in the shade on the edge of a forest and sit down for half an hour, then move to another spot. That way you can really appreciate the landscape at your leisure... Oh by the way: speaking of landscapes in the Netherlands that don't quite look like the Netherlands: in that park there is a rather big sandy plain. There was an Indian family passing by who were speaking English and one of them said: 'is this still the Netherlands? It looks like the Sahara...'
Oooooh Terschelling. As a family we have strong ties. My brother studied there, even. It's every Dutch landscape in concentrated form and the Waddenzee is the only real Dutch wilderness. Glad you liked it.
been twice to Terschelling to de Appelhof. a campingground for younger people. was super fun drank lots of cheap wine and bear with complete strangers.
Maybe a great idea to really get to see the country go on a 12 province tour, you can do it in one year or spread out. Our friend group are doing that (well on hold due to covid), every year one weekend in a random place in a different province. It's a lot of fun even for us natives.
Eva, I really enjoy your videos. I have visited the US dozens of times and I identify with your observations. If you feel like it, please do a video on what you really don't like here. Looking forward. And a book recommendation (you know it, I am sure): The Undutchables. God bless you
@6:20 I think that whole "lets be extreme judgemental about what people do and have big social pressure to either dont do it or be so into it that its almost an obsession so normalized" is a real Murican thing... you dont need to be obsessed with cycling to use a bike, you dont need to be a prepper to camp and you dont need to be called Michael Phelps to take a dive in the water
Now you have been to Terschelling, you should really visit Ameland to.Me and my familie have visited the islands to but we got most in love with Ameland. We even had our own caravans on the island so we could eazy do a weekend Ameland. This island has more traditional small towns and great beaches, not as you see them on Terschelling. Also it is more beautiful with nature and old buildings. It has great restaurant's and you can horse ride. The campings are great to. My brother has again bought a STA CARAVAN what means it is a caravan that can not drive but has wheels. It has a living room bedrooms shower, kitchen and even a shed with bikes and a terras. There are campings with these caravan's and most you can rent for a week or few days. I really would incurrage you to try it one time. I know gor sure you both will visit it more often. One great thing you can do there is go with a ship onto the sea and do some fishing or sunbathing on the deck and wait till the sea drops and the ship strands on the sea bottom. Then you can leave the ship and walk on the sand banks. You can even see seals. Great to do at least ones. Did you know you can even visit the island walking over to the island from the mainland by eb. (When the sea is on its low state) but you need a guide and a very good fisscal condition then it is really hard often with your feet deep in the sand. And only a few hours to make it before the sea comes back. Otherwise you have to be rescued so you don't drown. So that's not something i would advise you to do. But just wanted to mention it as a fun fact. The island is real fun and smaller then Terschelling but with all conveniences and facilities and not as cultivated and modernised as Terschelling. Really you should try it. Love your channel and hope to see more.👍
I remember as a kid that we also went fishing from the beach/strand. We caught schol/plat vis. That evening we grilled it on the tiny coocking set/burner. The best fish dish I ever ate. Next time rent some fishing gear.
As others already mentioned here; this way of camping is normal all over Western Europe. A relative new way is "Glamping" as the name suggests a more luxurious way of sleeping in a tent(like) accommodation.
You definitely have camping sites with all these facilities in US. I was travelling with a camper in and around California and visited many campings. Besides the CV places there was plenty of space for setting up your tents as well. Know your country huh. Did you like the extreme wide beach at Schiermonnikoog with the sand massaging and hurting your ankles? I saw it briefly on your video.
For me sleeping in a tent and having to go outside to get to the bathroom are absolute no-go's, and as such I've never gone on such a 'typically Dutch' camping trip even though I'm Dutch. I don't mind doing things outdoors, though; I used to go on summer camps (different places, but often Belgian Ardennes) where we stayed with a group in a large cabin with toilets and showers as part of it, and then from there we went to do all sorts of outdoorsy stuff, and that's kind of the way I like it the best, being outdoors and active during the day, but at the end of the day just being able to take a shower (without having to go outside between your room and the shower) and sleep in a proper bed. I've also been on more luxurious holidays (with my mum): city trips staying in hotels, some luxurious (all-in) resorts at sunny destinations, and even on a cruise on the Mediterranean once; that said, most of our summers we stayed home as the weather was good here, so why bother going anywhere else? We often went to do all sorts of activities such as visiting (kid-friendly) museums in the nearest city (Rotterdam), when we were under 12 (primary school), we even had a booklet full of things to do with discounts and you could collect stamps in it (jeugdvakantiepaspoort); In secondary school I ended up going to school in Rotterdam, so in my summers I often still went to Rotterdam to have fun in the city.
I used to go camping twice a year with my parents during my childhood. My parents wanted my brother and me to learn about The Netherlands, so we often went on holiday in our own country, and what you describe was very much part of my upbringing. So much so, in fact, that nowadays I have little enthusiasm for it. I've seen enough of it to last me a lifetime, please give me a proper hotel instead. Although... With proper facilities camping can be ok, I guess. My parents usually went to these nature campings with minimal facilities. I've been to a few camp sites where lighting a fire was allowed, so I guess that was just the campsite you were on. And I agree with you that the waddeneilanden can feel like you're in a different country. Schiermonnikoog, while smaller than Terschelling, is also very beautiful, with the same mixture of water, dunes, nature reserves and agriculture you describe. Although the old town is also really nice - I haven't been to Terschelling aren't there any nice old villages there?
Schiermonnikoog actually has a lot of landscape variation for such a relatively small island. There's even forest and heath (heide). And yes a stretch of beach that seems endless with water really far away at low tide. Bit scary to walk there because it feels as if it could flood the area any moment.
As a guy from 'flat' Utrecht I can really crave for different scenery. Yes, 'de wadden (-eilanden)' is a favourite, however.. I really feel in a different country when going south. I'd advise you to visit Maastricht, or southern Limburg in general. It's like France but with actual nice people 😅
Go camping in Laren in Gelderland at Camping de Vrolijk! Beautiful wooded campground, big pond for swimming and fishing! We lost and then found our cat in the huge corn field next to the camp ground! Yes we took our cat too, and he made friends as well. There is a lot to do there! If you go camping in the Netherlands alway, always, always bring card games or other travel sized games. My sister and I played many games of Uno in our tent when it rained! Now that we live in Philly PA we have gone camping together with our significant others at state parks in PA between Philly and NYC. We also have had our individual opportunities to hike and camp in the Grand Canyon with our American uncle who is quite the tour guide. Almost feels like camping in Holland is voor mietjes... haha geintje! Het is een groooooot verschil, maar kamperen in allebei de landen is werkelijk even leuk!
Last time i went "camping" they gave me a WWII era gun ( Winchester M1.30 Carbine ), half of a small tent I had to build with my sleepy and had a big fat dude in army greens screaming at me all day long. We have holiday parks with bungalows for rent in the Netherlands. With bowling allies, dance halls and bars. Use them.
@5:40 being surprised about open faucets....meanwhile in america: Whole village still uses a water-bucket on the roof or pole and half the districts run out of water seasonally
great video...would be nice for future videos to show and shoot some more footage of the events...so in this case show more of your camping experience...
Did you go 'wadlopen' as well? Cause I think that will be another amazing experience to share. If you've done that you will feel more than a little proud of yourself. But wait till the weather improves well into spring next year.
Camping in a tent,no thank you. After a week in a tent, a long time ago, with only rain, everything got and stayed wet, water came into the tent after a few days, I decided to do that never again. A Vakantiehuisje is much better. Terschelling is one of the most beautiful Waddeneilanden there is. Ameland is another. We do long hikes, bicycle tours etc. Camping is to be an active Holliday. You really should visit the south of Limburg. Very beautiful landscape with hills, woods, farms, nature etc.
I live in Rotterdam, but have also a small cottage up north, in the woods, between Groningen and Assen (btw campfires, bbq etcetera was prohibited there, during the heatwave, bc of potential fire hazards). So let me tell you: there’s a lot to explore, before you come to understand us. But last year was my first trip to the Wadden: we went to Schiermonnikoog, which is car-free! And of course extremely bike-friendly, you can rent a bike on the island. There was another option to drive around a bit: by horse-drawn wagon 😊
Oh and yes, in the village up north people greet each other, strangers like me included. Btw even in Rotterdam people walking their dog, in a park, say hello to each other as well.
holiday tip: If you really want to enjoy a different view... choose your holiday in Limburg. That is also the Netherlands, but completely different ;-). I've lived there all my life, I've worked a lot in 'the north'... but I'm always happy when I'm back in the land of the hills... Apparently I can't get used to those views without hills ;-)
I've been to all the Waddeneilanden, and I prefer the ones that don't allow cars from visitors, like Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog. Especially when I am there with the family, I barely have to worry about the little ones whilst cycling, as there is almost nothing to bring danger to them on the roads. On Schiermonnikoog there is a luggage service that will drop off your bags where you stay, and you park your car on the mainland near the harbour, it is literally within 50 meters or so. Then you will be travelling the rest by bicycle. I do like to stay in a holiday home though, nor that I don't like camping, but you just don't need to bring a lot of stuff and it is a bit more comfortable.
The reason why it's not allowed to set a campfire on the islands is because of the grass in the sand dunes. The dunes are extremely important for the eco system. Therefore it's mostly protected area. I LOVE your content, you are obviously understand the Dutch way quite good!
What about bicycle on Terschelling, go on the Afsluitdijk that is 32km/ 20ml from east to west or west to east I did it 5 times the wind all the time blowing in my face 😒 but nice video👍👍
Once you get some balance from using a bike in the city, you should try doing a camping holiday on a bicycle. There are possibilities to go to a rough camping site as well, which are free of charge, but come with no utilities whatsoever, so bring a pioneer shovel. That may be a bit Spartan for you. To help out with your somewhat underdeveloped leg muscle, you may want to rent a tandem bike to do that. Two people make light work of paddling a single bike and doing 50 to 80 kilometres is would take at most half a day at extreme leisure. The Netherlands being quite small would allow you to go around the whole country in a week and as a bicycle isn't all that fast, you get to see everything in much more detail than when being whizzing by in a car or train.
50 shades of camping imho. Have been to campsites in France that had fancier facillities than many of us at home. Been camping with tent, pop up, van and even hostel and hotel (on camping ground). It is a bit more civilized maybe in Europe, but then the US is a vast country. The activities you mention are very personal. You won't see me biking or hiking in France. I am either camping and BBQ-ing or city tripping and buying records or eating at a cheap and chearfull French restaurant. Check out France if you want to do some camping, my recomendation is LA PROVENCE! Gorges du Verdon, Route Napoleon and Avignon. Closer at home is also Paris, yet I won't take a camping but hotel to visit Paris.
At some campsites you can make a fire in the winter season. I'm going on a camping trip with a few friends during Christmas. If you want to join for you first winter camping trip, let us know! 😄
Nice report on your camping trip. Although I am very Dutch, I will never go camping. I experienced that way of outdoor life during my army training (as a conscript) in the mid 70's. Survival in a "pup-tent" ( nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puptent ) for a few days in march (outside temperature was between -1 to +5 degrees Celsius with some snow added). I was cured for that kind of outdoor activity forever ;) .
Ik mis Schiermonnikoog! Ik ging vroeger twee keer per jaar een dagje wegdromen daar. Kamperen is leuk en lekker wanneer je jong bent. Ook goed voor de gezondheid. Gewoon zo nu en dan een paar daagjes. Je mag nu lekker languit op de bank. Heb je verdiend!
Er zal inderdaad een moment zijn dat je echt moet stoppen met kamperen. Ik werk in de thuiszorg, en mijn cliënten vinden mij allemaal jong (ik ben 52), dus voorlopig ga ik nog door met kamperen. :) En Schier is inderdaad mooi. :)
Ohw, and i would like to add that saying 'hi' to people, even just random people, is fairly normal in the more rural areas of the Netherland ... aka outside most large cities where saying hi to everybody would just be silly ! ... but most villages is fairly normal :)
So, the most important question: did you walk to the bathroom stall on the campsite with a toilet roll clamped under your arm? If yes: congratulations, you don't need to do the inburgeringscursus anymore.
Imagine my surprise (as a Dutch person) going on holiday to Denmark, where they provide toilet rolls in the stalls for you!
@@piderman871 yeah saw it in germany too. Who trusts toilet paper the whole world and its mother have touched
Not to mention: did you wear a camping tuxedo at the time - meaning yoga pants and an old sweater?
🤣🤣🤣
I lived in Holland from 1968 to 1973 in the military and loved the people, food and way of life, had the opportunity to go back several times with friends and family to "show them around."
Lol, you're such a city girl... outside of the city people mostly WILL greet you and talk to you... need to explore more of our country
True. I speak more on my way to my work than at my work.
In the city, older people greet more often then younger people
I life in the east of Holland yes i say Holland that's fine hahahah. And there we like om hoi te zeggen of hi we vinden dat netjes. Iemand groeten vooral jonge mensen naar ouderen toe is groeten bijna een must . Ik leerde van mij ouders zelfs dat ik ouderen due ik tegen kwam moest vragen of ik iets voor hun kon betekenen of ik ergens mee kon helpen boodschappen dragen of helpen oversteken. Ik moest met respect met anderen omgaan vooral voor diegene die ouder zijn en of het slecht heb en als ik! Titaan de dag van vandaag help ik iedereen die het minder heeft het is normaal of te delen in Nederland deel je good vibes gelukkig voelen bereik je door te delen met diegene die minder hebben
I live 10 minutes by train from Utrecht and here we greet the people we pass on the street. Only in the big city's it's not common. I can recommend biking in the surround8ngs of utrecht. Within 20 kilometres you find forests, lots of agriculture land and the utrechtse heuvelrug where you have sanddunes (?) And you will learn a lot about the dutch
New York is different from the rest of the US. I used to live in MD at 20 miles from DC. On my way to work everyone greeted me, and even complimented me. Good compliments, nothing ambiguous or anything.
My office was right opposite the Washington Post building and one summer a super cute young intern walked along with me to the metro station, talking all the time. I was twice his age, in the Netherlands this would not happen.
Anyway I loved this attitude! 😍
The "American" camping sites do exist in The Netherlands / Europe too. But you have to search voor hiking camp or Scouts camp sites. Standard Camping in Europe is the type you've been to. Campings vary in different levels of luxury and settings (specially for youth, families or elder people, children entertainment programs, swimming pools, electricity at your site, bring your own tent or rent the one of the camping, lot of activities or meant to stay quiet etc.).
You should really try to visit more of the Netherlands. You really don't experience the Netherlands in Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Greeting random people is quite normal outside of the Randstad, although it's not as extreme as on a campsite "Mogguh!"
jurriaan Adema oh snap je helemaal normaal gezien maar nu niet want hier groet iedereen elkaar gewoon. En als je het niet doet krijg je het te horen ook.
@jurriaan Adema typ eens normaal joh, gek.
I don't know.. I'm from Amsterdam but I go to smal towns and villages quite regularly and when I greet people in a genuine, friendly way, they quite often don't greet back or they greet back reluctantly. I don't know if it's because they don't know me or because of my skin colour, but it's disheartening. People in de provincie are supposed to be so much friendlier than people in Amsterdam. Or that's what they think about themselves. In Amsterdam, I also greet the people I know from my street. I'm not sure there's such a difference.
In Twente bikers and hikers greet each other... That is just being polite.
I think it used to be an as we say in The Netherlands unwritten rule that it is polite to greet people you are ”sharing” nature with.
Also indeed people in the country were used to greet everyone on their way, that might have changed throughout generations. People tend to be more by themselves these days..It’s a pity. Maybe we should reintroduce it. As for not greeting someone because of his or her skin color, very very very sad! I hate that!! Please don’t think everyone thinks this way!
Loved this honest video Eva :-) Yes there are MANY beautiful spots to explore in crowded and densily populated Netherlands.. and still I can recommend so many quiet and pristine places! Explore the Nieuwkoopse plassen (Beautiful bike route around a good part of it with unique birdlife! ) Explore the Loonse duinen for a bit of Sahara feeling. Explore the Betuwe area for lots of fruit trees and historic places and riverside nature spots. Explore Texel or any of the Wadden Islands. Explore the south of Limburg province for hills and a different landscape. Explore Zeeland with impressive water-works and beautiful beaches. Explore the small cities (Enkhuizen, Monnickendam, Edam, Medemblik) for historic fishing villages and views of the IJsselmeer. I could go on for sooooo long :)
The Netherlands are great to do custom-sized bike rides ( fietsknooppuntenroutes ...can you pronounce this ;-) ) Enjoy The Netherlands Eva!
For one visit to the Netherlands, rode my bicycle to Lindbergh Field, San Diego, CA. Took it with me on a flight to Schipol, then cycled from Schipol to visit friends in Almere Buiten. Did not plan on continuous headwinds, which made it seem like I was cycling up the Alps. Took my bike on trains to visit other Dutch cities. Bike trails were flat and wonderful, but headwinds seemed to blow in my face, everywhere.
that's one of the secrets of the Netherlands. no matter where you're going to on a bike, you'll always have headwinds.
At least you did not have the rain just above freezing added to the “experience” 😂
The prevailing winds are from the South West, so if you plan your trip to go roughly East, you'll have the wind in your back. If the wind is strong enough you hardly need to paddle.
headwinds are horizontal gravity in this flat country
Having planned and rode yearly 3 day biking trips through the Netherlands the key is to know the prevailing winds (west, south/west) in advance and plan around them. So you start somewhere westish, and then bike to the east ! (take the train back, or start by train and cycle back home). Also, pick a trail/route that frequently goes through forests, trees and shrubs block the wind, ITS AMAZING !!
I moved to Amsterdam from New York two weeks ago. I have really enjoyed your videos. Very helpful
"The wind...!".
Welcome to the Netherlands!
Now you know why we had (for centuries) windmills!
the dutch camp grounds are like that everywhere in europe, not jsut the netherlands. i know many who go camping europe style mostly go sightseeing the area the cities etc.
The talking with other people is one of the reasons you see so many families on campings. The kids are playing outside the whole day, making new friends every year 🙂 Very good for developing social skills! And of course, they sleep really well like you mentioned. And that gives parents time to read a book, drinking some wine by candlelight - that kind of stuff..
In my experience, usually during the summer the entire German population moves over to the beaches in the Netherlands (especially Zeeland) and the entire Dutch population that owns a caravan takes their caravan and goes camping in France. My parents have a caravan and during the average year we went to France for about 4-5 weeks a year (2 in spring and 2-3 in summer) and 1 week go Luxembourg in fall (which is gorgeous by the way, definitely recommend)! Maybe my parents just really like France, but I think they are far from the only ones who do (also not saying its average or normal to go on long holidays 3 times a year, that's just my personal experience)
Ah no, that's just a tiny part of the German population. Most go to Spain and Italy. Netherlands are ranked #9 on the top ten list (2019). ;)
You should also go to south Limburg, also a very different experience
Be sure to visit the Baron 😁
@@arthurharpjr7974 live in brunssum as well ;). And grew up in kerkrade!
@@arthurharpjr7974 ah yeah, thats jus a couple of streets from here. Pass by the school daily, i think it is a school at least. It has sporting fields and loads of busses with kids comming and going everyday.
Where do you live now.
love your channel. I really think you should try seeing the south of limburg aswell if you get a chance. The tiny villages between Heerlen and Maastricht are worth a watch and in combination with the hilly landscape also gives you the feeling you're not in the netherlands anymore. Totally different landscape from Terschelling.
I've done a bit of camping in the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany and the UK, and I kind of got the impression that "camping grounds with facilities" are fairly common in Europe (at least in those countries). I came to camping late in life, and I've enjoyed it as much as you have. :).
Great observations. Again! Really enjoying your open mind. Way to go girl!
The best part of this camping style is that it is everywhere in Europe. There are even city campings in many big cities. You can get a booklet of a lot of campings in Europe at the ANWB which are accredited and you can go to even without making a reservation.
Yeah you can camp like that in Paris even.
Honestly, I even know of at least one indoor camping in the Netherlands. It has a a huge glass roof over it, so you can get your kids used to camping before they get discouraged by the rain. 😂
Great video and I'm happy 😊 you had a great time on Terschelling! I visited that island 🏝 when I was 12 during our school camp, first time I was riding a bike 🚲 for hours with a lott of wind! After a while my legs felt so tired and I thought I couldn't go on anymore, that's when probably the adrenaline kickt in. I didn't feel the pain in my legs and that was a very strange experience at that time, but it helpt to ride the last stretch to reach the camp.
You have a nice way of expressing 'the Dutch way'.
You help me getting a new perspective on the Dutch (as a Dutch person). 😌
What an excellent choice to choose Terschelling as your holiday destination. My compliments. The Wadden Islands are unique. In the autumn and spring, a weekend in a hotel is also great to get some fresh air and relaxation. And then you could choose to visit the almost car-free and smaler islands such as Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.
I remember our kampeervakanties (camping trips) from the eighties. We never went to the islands however. Our trips went to south Limburg, Belgium and Zeeland. What I remember loving about the Dutch camping as a young Dutch boy was that there often were speurtochten (scavenger hunts), the very big playgrounds and the kantines with a lot of arcade machines and pinball machines.
But I haven't been to a Dutch camping in decades.
Back in the day's, when I was a kid my grandparents went to Texel by boat. My father went with his car and my mom, my little brother and me went by bike. We went for the whole school summer vacation we had as kids. So my dad needed to go work, therefore he had the car. It brings back great memories to hear you talk about your first experience. O btw we lived in Amsterdam back then.
I laughed out loud when you said you basically did a triathlon while you were at Terschelling! :) It is indeed very typical to mainly do outdoor activities while you go camping. I used to go camping almost every summer as a kid and I can tell you that most of the sanitary facilities are the same across Europe! Wishing you a nice day!!
Haha, good to know! =D
many fmailies when to go camping dont do triathlons, they go to cities and well walkign is a must then ofc XD but msot palce sof europe you cannot bike nicely.
Love camping.... Been doing it all my life. No better sound than rain on your tent when you are cosy in our sleepingbag.
leuke video''s hoor, leuk om de verschillen te zien tussen de vs en nl ga zo door!
I think everyone should try 'wadlopen', which handily combines hiking and, if you're slow, swimming. If you think about going back to Terschelling, I'd recommend checking it out during the Oerol festival. Good job for toughing it out for sure!
You should try wadlopen. Parts of the Waddenzee falls dry during low water and you can hike over what is normally the bottom of the sea. Very muddy but fun. Im dutch but when my family from Monttana in the USA is over they love doing it.
Seeing how the sand was blown away on the beach it must've been quite the rough wind haha, you did great!
I spend my chilhood holidays on the island of Schiermonnikoog, in my grandparents holiday cottage set in the dunes. It was a truly magical place for kids to roam freely all over the island. This was in the 50's and 60's, we have by now been in Australia for 54 years. I have been back to the island a few times since then.
Terschelling is fantastisch!! Good choise and I learn a lot about Americans from the city, thanks!
Decades ago I went on a 5-week camping tour in New England. The camping grounds were from extreme basic, especially in the areas were there was commercial logging activities, to extreme luxurious. One big difference with European camping grounds was that you were allowed to built a campfire. This was our secret pleasure, grilling steaks with baked beans :).
What I love about the Dutch way of camping, is that you are more likely to spend your time outdoors and if you like it (you are certainly not forced to!) contact with other people is easy, even children make new friends camping, because a lot of these campsites have really nice children’s playgrounds or a space that youth can hang out. Who knows you make new friends camping out.
Very Dutch is the camping trailer or caravan we tow behind our cars to campsites all over europe. We ourselves own one from the year 1977. But you should check out modern ones, they even have a built in toilet and shower!!
I went camping every year for at least 17 years as a child but it was really for more lazy camping. We had a tent that had the size of a small apartment with even a fridge, stove and heater inside. We used to go to the sea so yes, we did a lot of swimming, and we used to walk our dog a lot but cycling ect we really didn't do. We did go on those daystrips to like Antwerp or Gent or other cities around. We also always had those luxury campings with restaurant, indoor swimming pool for colder days, a small supermarket and an entertainment team. It was really like in a luxury hotel but only the housing was different. The social part was the most fun part of camping. In the evening every one would sit outside and it was really very "gezellig" :-). Before two weeks where finished you must have got a group of friends there. This is even not only in the Netherlands like this. Camping like this can be done all over Europe. I really miss it sometimes
I love going on holiday to the Wadden islands. It's just a short train and boat trip away, but always feels like you've traveled really far. And there's "nothing" except some small villages and nature (and well, this year, a LOT of people). "Uitwaaien" at the beach is the best way to clear a stressed city working head.
You're halfway Scandinavia, really.
also a very dutch thing is the "sleurhut" we dutch like to leave home and bring along all our home comforts so we end up bringing a whole house with us. people that go on vacation outside the netherlands sometimes even bring crates of their favourite beer, big pieces of our own cheese and some even bring their own potato's with them so they do not have to miss them.
i have just finished designing a vouwwagen for behind my bicycle for a ultimate dutch combination of tent, sleurhut, bicycle and home comforts! i expect to start the building in 3 months and have it ready for next years vacation season. netherlands is a great country for bicycle vacations becouse the abundance of cycling infrastructure and the fact that our country is so small that it would only take 21 hours to cycle from the most southern point of limburg to the most northern point of groningen.
I have not gone to campings a lot. But for 2 summers I went through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy with a camper. And I have to one or two campings in the Netherlands. So I think those kind of campings are the most common ones in Europe in general. And in all those campings that I have been, I also never had to bring my own toilet paper to the toilet. I really appreciated that!
Tip: Take your bike and go to De Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Or visit the fortress around Utrecht
9:34 OMG I lol'ed so hard at the 'extreme weather' being a very pleasant sunny day with some wind! (even though I completely get anyone's frustration with cycling against a Dutch head wind and on the islands they're no joke)
I had an amazing time 2019 Aug, given free camping ask to stay with a lovely Dutch family, honestly given free meals the following morning, that the night before I had only had a cup of tea at, Dutch going out of there way cycling back the way they had come just to show me the correct direction and finally staying at camping zeeburge the people were so nice best holiday I had ever had and the cycling such fun can't wait to get back, well done the Dutch.
I have been to camping sites in Wyoming and the Toilets and showers were even heated with warm water and for free. Same in South Dakota. Girl you went to the wrong camping site in the US
I am from Terschelling ,.. Nice comments Ava,.. thanks 😙
We went on a camping trip in america a while ago, and lots of campings did have nice toilets and showers.
There is a special word for Glorious camping; Glamping !
I did a cycling holiday this year. Me and my girlfriend had all our stuff in the bags on the bike, including the tent. We cycled from Belgium, to France, Luxembourg and Germany (1200km). We followed the frontline of the First World War and the Mozel river. I can really recommend cycling along the Mozel in Germany for beginning cyclists / campers. There are also hotels of course. I came back a lot fitter too, after 20 days (17 cycling).
I haven’t touched my bike since I got my driver license. ( 10 years or so). Very unDutchy of me, but I hate bicycling.
Hah. A road trip on bicycle. You could call an ambulance in less than 50km
When you spoke about how it felt like you were leaving the netherlands when you got to Terschelling, it reminded me of this. People who live on the Waddeneilanden actually do call themselves 'eilanders' (island people). It's also sort of a community thing, because even if you might move to one of the islands, you'll never fully be an 'eilander' as long as the rest of your family still lives on the mainland.
Me and a friend just took two 1-person tents (+ plus clothes ofcourse) got in the car and drove. it was amazing. We live near Groningen, so first we went to Valkenburg (limburg). Spend 1 day/night there, then went to Luxembourg. There went spend 2 days/nights and went from Luxembourg to Bonn and munster (both Germany) It was amazing.
Just very simple but we seen a lot, we even went 1 day to France (Place called Metz). I was a trip of 6 days, we did a lot, seen a lot. I love the old cities and nature around it.
Its nice to hear you had fun the dutch style.
Haha cool you went to Terschelling! I live here for a couple of years now really beautiful place.
I grew up in the Netherlands and when I was a kid we often went camping in Dwingeloo, very nice area for hiking and/or biking. When I was a little older we also went to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, and camping was mostly similar.
Thank you for this video. Well done and Terschelling is beautifull.
Yes, I know what you mean when talking about how special these islands are. I met my future wife on Vlieland, another of the Waddeneilanden. That was almost 40 years ago but I still think back with pleasure to those days. But if you want to see some "mountains", do come to Rheden near Arnhem where I live and experience the Dutch mountains like Potjesberg and Zijpenberg and Kraaijenberg etc. Its a hilly countryside with heather and forests and even a sand drift, all part of the National Park Veluwezoom. I have worked here for the last 25 years and although I was born and raised in Rotterdam, I never regretted coming to Arnhem and living and working in this type of landscape. Now I'm retired and enjoy biking in these surroundings almost daily. On my e-bike! And don't be afraid of speed when biking: speed is necessairy to stay in balance when biking. But you have to practice to get confidence to really master biking, practice makes perfect.
If you ever plan to visit Rotterdam, I'd love to be your tourguide! I even work on one of the top 3 tourist-attractions in Rotterdam ;) so you'll have some inside information
Next year you should probably just rent a 'sta-caravan' on one of these islands. it's basically like being in an American Trailer park, but by choice during your holiday ! ... generally a toilet is on board, but showers are still 'facilitated' (though can be included also). I had a lot of these holidays when i was a kid, and if a tent isn't really your thing (or you get to an age or financial standard) where you prefer some better accommodation than a tent, a 'sta-caravan' is a very good option !!
You and your girlfriend should visit the south of Limburg!! Whole new biking experience... lol
Yes, the Waddeneilanden are great. But next time, consider camping near Vlijmen. Then you can "interpolate" between landscapes in the Netherlands. By the way, Jovi (of the Jovi's Home channel) is covering all twelve provinces (one per month, I remember).
If you and your girl-friend should be in for a work-out of a holiday, consider something related to sailing (likely in the province of Fryslân, but not necessarily so). Sailing under sail, not cruising on a motor boat...
If "camping" shouldn't suit you, remember "glamping" (glamorous camping). Dutch comedian Bert Visscher may have posted his sketches (in Dutch) on both on his RUclips channel.
Far-fetched: there are six Caribbean islands connected to the Netherlands...
Vlijmen? If there's one town that's not really recommended as a holiday destination it would probably be Vlijmen.
@Gert-Jan van der Lee: Obviously! Thank you for pointing to my dyslectic mistake - I meant Vijlen: to visit the Vijlenerbos, just west of the "three-countries-point". [Herman Finkers: "Het is mooi dat drie landen bij elkaar komen, maar om daar nou een punt van te maken..."]
I've been on many European camp sites and also in hostels and the bathroom facilities are similar. The French ones used to be just a hole in the ground and two prints to put your feet, so you were supposed to crouch. We don't really have a 'great outdoors' in this country. Also people in small communities say hi, even in the US I noticed.
Oh, didn't mean to sound harsh. I love your videos. And wow, I do do some outdoors stuff but that sounds extreme.
And I've been on the Wadden Islands (well, three of them) and biking there is incredibly hard sometimes, so you've got your Dutch credentials :D
This summer I went to the Hoge Veluwe park and I noticed that all the visitors were just racing by on their bicycles trying to get from A to B as fast as possible. I found that it is so much more relaxing to take a comfy folding chair with you, set it down somewhere in the shade on the edge of a forest and sit down for half an hour, then move to another spot. That way you can really appreciate the landscape at your leisure...
Oh by the way: speaking of landscapes in the Netherlands that don't quite look like the Netherlands: in that park there is a rather big sandy plain. There was an Indian family passing by who were speaking English and one of them said: 'is this still the Netherlands? It looks like the Sahara...'
Great story about your Dutch Camping experience 👍
Oooooh Terschelling. As a family we have strong ties. My brother studied there, even. It's every Dutch landscape in concentrated form and the Waddenzee is the only real Dutch wilderness. Glad you liked it.
been twice to Terschelling to de Appelhof. a campingground for younger people. was super fun drank lots of cheap wine and bear with complete strangers.
Maybe a great idea to really get to see the country go on a 12 province tour, you can do it in one year or spread out. Our friend group are doing that (well on hold due to covid), every year one weekend in a random place in a different province. It's a lot of fun even for us natives.
Eva, I really enjoy your videos. I have visited the US dozens of times and I identify with your observations. If you feel like it, please do a video on what you really don't like here. Looking forward. And a book recommendation (you know it, I am sure): The Undutchables. God bless you
@6:20 I think that whole "lets be extreme judgemental about what people do and have big social pressure to either dont do it or be so into it that its almost an obsession so normalized" is a real Murican thing... you dont need to be obsessed with cycling to use a bike, you dont need to be a prepper to camp and you dont need to be called Michael Phelps to take a dive in the water
Now you have been to Terschelling, you should really visit Ameland to.Me and my familie have visited the islands to but we got most in love with Ameland. We even had our own caravans on the island so we could eazy do a weekend Ameland. This island has more traditional small towns and great beaches, not as you see them on Terschelling. Also it is more beautiful with nature and old buildings. It has great restaurant's and you can horse ride. The campings are great to. My brother has again bought a STA CARAVAN what means it is a caravan that can not drive but has wheels. It has a living room bedrooms shower, kitchen and even a shed with bikes and a terras. There are campings with these caravan's and most you can rent for a week or few days. I really would incurrage you to try it one time. I know gor sure you both will visit it more often.
One great thing you can do there is go with a ship onto the sea and do some fishing or sunbathing on the deck and wait till the sea drops and the ship strands on the sea bottom. Then you can leave the ship and walk on the sand banks. You can even see seals. Great to do at least ones.
Did you know you can even visit the island walking over to the island from the mainland by eb. (When the sea is on its low state) but you need a guide and a very good fisscal condition then it is really hard often with your feet deep in the sand. And only a few hours to make it before the sea comes back. Otherwise you have to be rescued so you don't drown.
So that's not something i would advise you to do. But just wanted to mention it as a fun fact.
The island is real fun and smaller then Terschelling but with all conveniences and facilities and not as cultivated and modernised as Terschelling.
Really you should try it.
Love your channel and hope to see more.👍
I remember as a kid that we also went fishing from the beach/strand. We caught schol/plat vis. That evening we grilled it on the tiny coocking set/burner. The best fish dish I ever ate. Next time rent some fishing gear.
As others already mentioned here; this way of camping is normal all over Western Europe.
A relative new way is "Glamping" as the name suggests a more luxurious way of sleeping in a tent(like) accommodation.
Like your comments and experiences Eva!
Jojo Shooter stay connected G
You definitely have camping sites with all these facilities in US. I was travelling with a camper in and around California and visited many campings. Besides the CV places there was plenty of space for setting up your tents as well.
Know your country huh.
Did you like the extreme wide beach at Schiermonnikoog with the sand massaging and hurting your ankles? I saw it briefly on your video.
For me sleeping in a tent and having to go outside to get to the bathroom are absolute no-go's, and as such I've never gone on such a 'typically Dutch' camping trip even though I'm Dutch.
I don't mind doing things outdoors, though; I used to go on summer camps (different places, but often Belgian Ardennes) where we stayed with a group in a large cabin with toilets and showers as part of it, and then from there we went to do all sorts of outdoorsy stuff, and that's kind of the way I like it the best, being outdoors and active during the day, but at the end of the day just being able to take a shower (without having to go outside between your room and the shower) and sleep in a proper bed.
I've also been on more luxurious holidays (with my mum): city trips staying in hotels, some luxurious (all-in) resorts at sunny destinations, and even on a cruise on the Mediterranean once; that said, most of our summers we stayed home as the weather was good here, so why bother going anywhere else? We often went to do all sorts of activities such as visiting (kid-friendly) museums in the nearest city (Rotterdam), when we were under 12 (primary school), we even had a booklet full of things to do with discounts and you could collect stamps in it (jeugdvakantiepaspoort); In secondary school I ended up going to school in Rotterdam, so in my summers I often still went to Rotterdam to have fun in the city.
Terschelling! I love Terschelling; I go there every year.
I used to go camping twice a year with my parents during my childhood. My parents wanted my brother and me to learn about The Netherlands, so we often went on holiday in our own country, and what you describe was very much part of my upbringing.
So much so, in fact, that nowadays I have little enthusiasm for it. I've seen enough of it to last me a lifetime, please give me a proper hotel instead. Although... With proper facilities camping can be ok, I guess. My parents usually went to these nature campings with minimal facilities.
I've been to a few camp sites where lighting a fire was allowed, so I guess that was just the campsite you were on. And I agree with you that the waddeneilanden can feel like you're in a different country. Schiermonnikoog, while smaller than Terschelling, is also very beautiful, with the same mixture of water, dunes, nature reserves and agriculture you describe. Although the old town is also really nice - I haven't been to Terschelling aren't there any nice old villages there?
Definitely nice old villages in Terschelling as well!
Schiermonnikoog actually has a lot of landscape variation for such a relatively small island. There's even forest and heath (heide). And yes a stretch of beach that seems endless with water really far away at low tide. Bit scary to walk there because it feels as if it could flood the area any moment.
As a guy from 'flat' Utrecht I can really crave for different scenery. Yes, 'de wadden (-eilanden)' is a favourite, however.. I really feel in a different country when going south. I'd advise you to visit Maastricht, or southern Limburg in general. It's like France but with actual nice people 😅
Go camping in Laren in Gelderland at Camping de Vrolijk! Beautiful wooded campground, big pond for swimming and fishing! We lost and then found our cat in the huge corn field next to the camp ground! Yes we took our cat too, and he made friends as well. There is a lot to do there! If you go camping in the Netherlands alway, always, always bring card games or other travel sized games. My sister and I played many games of Uno in our tent when it rained! Now that we live in Philly PA we have gone camping together with our significant others at state parks in PA between Philly and NYC. We also have had our individual opportunities to hike and camp in the Grand Canyon with our American uncle who is quite the tour guide. Almost feels like camping in Holland is voor mietjes... haha geintje! Het is een groooooot verschil, maar kamperen in allebei de landen is werkelijk even leuk!
Last time i went "camping" they gave me a WWII era gun ( Winchester M1.30 Carbine ), half of a small tent I had to build with my sleepy and had a big fat dude in army greens screaming at me all day long. We have holiday parks with bungalows for rent in the Netherlands. With bowling allies, dance halls and bars. Use them.
@5:40 being surprised about open faucets....meanwhile in america: Whole village still uses a water-bucket on the roof or pole and half the districts run out of water seasonally
great video...would be nice for future videos to show and shoot some more footage of the events...so in this case show more of your camping experience...
Did you go 'wadlopen' as well? Cause I think that will be another amazing experience to share. If you've done that you will feel more than a little proud of yourself. But wait till the weather improves well into spring next year.
Camping in a tent,no thank you. After a week in a tent, a long time ago, with only rain, everything got and stayed wet, water came into the tent after a few days, I decided to do that never again. A Vakantiehuisje is much better.
Terschelling is one of the most beautiful Waddeneilanden there is. Ameland is another.
We do long hikes, bicycle tours etc. Camping is to be an active Holliday.
You really should visit the south of Limburg. Very beautiful landscape with hills, woods, farms, nature etc.
I live in Rotterdam, but have also a small cottage up north, in the woods, between Groningen and Assen (btw campfires, bbq etcetera was prohibited there, during the heatwave, bc of potential fire hazards). So let me tell you: there’s a lot to explore, before you come to understand us.
But last year was my first trip to the Wadden: we went to Schiermonnikoog, which is car-free! And of course extremely bike-friendly, you can rent a bike on the island.
There was another option to drive around a bit: by horse-drawn wagon 😊
Oh and yes, in the village up north people greet each other, strangers like me included. Btw even in Rotterdam people walking their dog, in a park, say hello to each other as well.
holiday tip: If you really want to enjoy a different view... choose your holiday in Limburg. That is also the Netherlands, but completely different ;-). I've lived there all my life, I've worked a lot in 'the north'... but I'm always happy when I'm back in the land of the hills... Apparently I can't get used to those views without hills ;-)
Go to Groningen and climb the 800 years old Martinitoren and please share more videos of your outdoors experiences like Terschelling
I've been to all the Waddeneilanden, and I prefer the ones that don't allow cars from visitors, like Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog. Especially when I am there with the family, I barely have to worry about the little ones whilst cycling, as there is almost nothing to bring danger to them on the roads. On Schiermonnikoog there is a luggage service that will drop off your bags where you stay, and you park your car on the mainland near the harbour, it is literally within 50 meters or so. Then you will be travelling the rest by bicycle. I do like to stay in a holiday home though, nor that I don't like camping, but you just don't need to bring a lot of stuff and it is a bit more comfortable.
Saying hi is a rural and village thing, both in the Netherlands and the US.
The experience is nice. My parents dragged me into this camping style life...now i only like hotels...lol.
Don't forget to go to Zeeland at your next holliday !
on the islands you bike! and there always be wind! but the they are awesum
“Nature camping” might be something else 🤪
The one on Terschelling has really good facilities. Simple, clean. And a good deal quieter than other campsites.
I don't think a review of such a camping will be up on youtube long enough for us to see. But maybe it might...
@OP 1000 and @Edwin Biere
Nature camping does NOT mean naturist or nudist camping.
paul wassenaar . Nooo 😱
@@OP-1000 sorry to disappoint you
The next adventure go sleep at Van der Valk 😬👍🏼 Is the big bird next to the high way
The reason why it's not allowed to set a campfire on the islands is because of the grass in the sand dunes. The dunes are extremely important for the eco system. Therefore it's mostly protected area.
I LOVE your content, you are obviously understand the Dutch way quite good!
What about bicycle on Terschelling, go on the Afsluitdijk that is 32km/ 20ml from east to west or west to east I did it 5 times the wind all the time blowing in my face 😒 but nice video👍👍
Have you been at the Boschplaat?
Maybe on a horse/prairie wagon, walking, bicycle or on a Eco-safari?
Once you get some balance from using a bike in the city, you should try doing a camping holiday on a bicycle. There are possibilities to go to a rough camping site as well, which are free of charge, but come with no utilities whatsoever, so bring a pioneer shovel. That may be a bit Spartan for you. To help out with your somewhat underdeveloped leg muscle, you may want to rent a tandem bike to do that. Two people make light work of paddling a single bike and doing 50 to 80 kilometres is would take at most half a day at extreme leisure. The Netherlands being quite small would allow you to go around the whole country in a week and as a bicycle isn't all that fast, you get to see everything in much more detail than when being whizzing by in a car or train.
50 shades of camping imho.
Have been to campsites in France that had fancier facillities than many of us at home.
Been camping with tent, pop up, van and even hostel and hotel (on camping ground).
It is a bit more civilized maybe in Europe, but then the US is a vast country.
The activities you mention are very personal. You won't see me biking or hiking in France. I am either camping and BBQ-ing or city tripping and buying records or eating at a cheap and chearfull French restaurant.
Check out France if you want to do some camping, my recomendation is LA PROVENCE! Gorges du Verdon, Route Napoleon and Avignon.
Closer at home is also Paris, yet I won't take a camping but hotel to visit Paris.
At some campsites you can make a fire in the winter season. I'm going on a camping trip with a few friends during Christmas. If you want to join for you first winter camping trip, let us know! 😄
Also give music festivals like the North Sea Jazz festival and PinkPop😎
Nice report on your camping trip. Although I am very Dutch, I will never go camping. I experienced that way of outdoor life during my army training (as a conscript) in the mid 70's. Survival in a "pup-tent" ( nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puptent ) for a few days in march (outside temperature was between -1 to +5 degrees Celsius with some snow added). I was cured for that kind of outdoor activity forever ;) .
As a frisian I do need to point out that these islands in english are called the FRISIAN islands, not the dutch islands. Great video!
and so they should, in fact we should rejoin Dietsland under a Frissian king
lol you got the small town vibe, pretty common you say hallo to random people in small places :^)
Ik mis Schiermonnikoog! Ik ging vroeger twee keer per jaar een dagje wegdromen daar. Kamperen is leuk en lekker wanneer je jong bent. Ook goed voor de gezondheid. Gewoon zo nu en dan een paar daagjes. Je mag nu lekker languit op de bank. Heb je verdiend!
Er zal inderdaad een moment zijn dat je echt moet stoppen met kamperen. Ik werk in de thuiszorg, en mijn cliënten vinden mij allemaal jong (ik ben 52), dus voorlopig ga ik nog door met kamperen. :)
En Schier is inderdaad mooi. :)
Ohw, and i would like to add that saying 'hi' to people, even just random people, is fairly normal in the more rural areas of the Netherland ... aka outside most large cities where saying hi to everybody would just be silly ! ... but most villages is fairly normal :)
Great Episode :)